HAF FULL: Travis Hafner hits a three-run home run in the first inning in Cleveland on Monday. The new Yankee has two homers, six RBIs and is hitting .333 after eight games in pinstripes. Photo: EPA

CLEVELAND — This is the Yankees’ version of Extreme Makeover: Clubhouse Edition.

After eight games, five on the road, a different vibe runs through the Yankees clubhouse these days, a clubhouse minus Alex Rodriguez. The elephant is out of the room.

Kevin Youkilis has established himself at third and is off to a strong start, making the transition a smooth one for the entire team. The same goes for left-fielder Vernon Wells, whose swing is short and sweet again as he is punishing the baseball. Travis Hafner has fit right in at DH.

There is much to like with how the new Yankees are going about their business. It is a relaxed clubhouse where baseball is the center of attention and Youkilis, Wells and Hafner seem to have the perfect dispositions for the jobs at hand.

“Everyone comes here with the right attitude to win games and have fun. That’s the biggest thing,’’ Youkilis said last night before the game against the Indians was rained out at Progressive Field.

“That’s what helps with having veterans,” Youkilis said. “You come to an understanding, your careers are where they at, you’ve got to enjoy them. We have a good group of veterans that is going to come in here every day and work hard and have fun.’’

The Yankees are having more fun these days, and there is less tension in the air right now.

The bats have come alive and that makes life more fun. Youkilis is batting .367., Wells is hitting .360 and Hafner is at .333. Robinson Cano is on fire having seven hits in his last 10 at-bats with three doubles and three home runs. Youkilis is one of only three players to hit safely in the first eight games along with the Orioles’ Adam Jones and White Sox’ Alex Rios.

The Yankees know that help is coming once Derek Jeter, Curtis Granderson and Mark Teixeira return. As for A-Rod, no one knows when he will be back from hip surgery.

Teixeira (wrist) is on the trip and is shooting for a return around May 1 while Jeter (ankle) and Granderson (arm) are making progress in their Tampa rehabs. It is all about surviving the injury storm.

Manager Joe Girardi said he loves the way the clubhouse has come together.

“I think it’s a really good group,’’ he said. “You know what, they have their sense of humor, they’re all a little bit different, it’s a fun place.’’

“We have good guys,’’ Youkilis said. “With Jeter coming back, that’s another leader. Grandy, another great guy. It’s going to be good to have all those guys here.’’

There is a lot of communication during games with this group.

“Guys talk about what the pitcher has,’’ Youkilis said. “Guys get frustrated when they make out, but they make sure to talk about what the pitcher has, which is good. I’ve been on teams where guys don’t say a word to each other. Guys here have their heads in the games — even the pitchers are out there, high-fiving guys at the end of the game, which is good.’’

Everyone is pulling in the same direction.

Youkilis had all of spring training to make his way with his new teammates. Wells showed up at the end of spring training but quickly has become one of the more popular Yankees. Wells is a listener.

“There’s nothing but professionals over here,’’ Wells said, praising Girardi. “It starts with the manager and works its way down.’’

Wells has spent a lot of his time being a sounding board for his teammates. Yes, changes have come to the Yankees clubhouse.

“I’m slow to speak, quick to listen,’’ Wells said. “You can learn so much from listening. I’ve learned through time to be a sounding board is more special than speaking sometimes. Being able to listen to what people are going through and truly take it in and respond when needed. A lot of people just need to talk and get things out. I’ve always concentrated on listening first and speaking second.’’